Lost gears(i think)

[77Thunderdog]

Ok so I was going on my 77 250sl when I List all gears(i think), I pulled over and started to check it my shift lever just hangs now, when you move it nothing happens and it doesn't feel like its engaging anything inside like it would normally, does anyone know what should have went wrong and what parts I need to fix it, (i did manage to get it into first some how and had a long trip back with only that gear)

[Zyx]

If I had to guess, I would say the ratchet spring has broken, or at least has gone adrift. Just not sure how it could get lost once installed. So more likely the spring has broken off a leg. If not that, it is possible the control arm adjust bolt has gone loose or has fallen out, but then I wouldn't expect the shifter to just hang there. Only way to know is pull the cover and take a look.

[Bullfrog]

I think your gears are "lost" only because you can't "find" them by using the shift lever. From the description of symptoms, it is quite likely that your foot change ratchet spring has broken. This is pretty rare failure, but it does happen.

Anyway, the good news is that all of the repairs you need to do are probably in the shifter case . . . and there is probably nothing at all wrong in the transmission itself.

Ed

[77Thunderdog]

We tore it apart this morning and it is in the shifter case so now we have to go in and see what it is